Chance meetings lead to musical success

April 30, 2013

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By ALEX KOMSTHOEFT/Montana State News

“Damn, that is good,” Shawn Swain says as he sips on his Bridger Brewery IPA.

Handcrafted, local beer is just one of the many fine things these Kitchen Dwellers appreciate about their hometown of Bozeman. From Montana, Alaska, Colorado, Wisconsin and Illinois, these five boys have unmistakably crossed paths to collaborate what they define as “no ordinary string band.”

All past and present students of Montana State University, these once individual musicians have found their collective sound as a foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing, heart pumping bluegrass band.

Joe Funk and Kyle Shelstad met their freshman year in 2009 when the magic started. “I met Kyle in September of 2010 and the three of us started playing together,” said Swain. “A week later I met Torrin in class.”

Shelstad left the country for a semester and Tyler Schultz stood in as a substitute guitar player for the Kitchen Dwellers. Upon Shelstad’s return, the band had one too many guitarists and were short one fiddle player. The obvious, rational solution Schultz came to was to “just show up with my fiddle that I had never played before. Never.” More

Dancer made an unlikely transition

April 30, 2013

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By PATRICK HILL/Montana State News

Mary Powell is not what you would expect from a belly dancer. As a former tire saleswoman who spent the majority of the day covered in vehicle grease, she made the transition to that of a woman dancing in a hand-sewn costume. It goes without saying, such a transformation requires a leap of imagination.

“I got into dancing because I was curious and I loved it from the first moment I tried it. I realized I could express myself through this,” said Powell. “My palate of emotional strata in movements – in layers – comes from my daughter, Rayven, my family and friends. The root of my heartbeat is made of emotions, music and dreams.”

It was in 2003, on a self-described “double dog dare” when Powell joined an existing local belly dance group in Bozeman, called Lotus Fire. Five years later, she branched off to teach others what had originally inspired her: the spark and the passion that existed within every woman to dance. More

Belly dance troupe revives an old artform

April 30, 2013

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By PATRICK HILL/Montana State News

The pastel colored walls of the Verge Theatre are decorated with framed portraits of past dance performances and other ornaments befitting of a ballet studio. Tucked in the middle of the theatre is the Rainbow Studio. Rhythmic music pumps from the studio as women of all ages move and sway their hips to the various musical beats.

Initiated in 2008, Bad Asp Belly Dancing Troupe is holding strong in their fifth year and currently revolves around five diverse local women. Each instructor focuses on her own blend and style of belly dancing. The troupe maintains a self-described “Earthy feel” to their Tribal Fusion style of dance. “Our style is about setting our own style,” said Mary Powell.

Sitting comfortably on a wooden bench outside of their studio, Powell is half in costume, half in street clothes while she tells the backstory of Bad Asp and the art of belly dancing.

“We started in the living room dancing and it was a lot like the garage band of dancing,” said Powell. Bad Asp is based in a self-made image to maintain a community-influenced approach to the arts. More

Native American Studies prof goes online

April 30, 2013

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By KEVIN KNAPEK/Montana State News

For Kristin Ruppel, associate professor of Native American Studies, following her bliss allowed everything to fall into place.

Kristin Ruppel of MSU Native American Studies is leading the charge on the development of online education opportunities.

Kristin Ruppel of MSU Native American Studies is leading the charge on the development of online education opportunities.

Ruppel wanted to be closer to her parents who live in Twin Bridges. So she decided to make her way back to Montana. Before graduating with her doctorate, she had an opportunity to buy a gutted-out log cabin in Virginia City.

“Eventually, my parents and I went in on it together, and since then, my husband and I, but mostly my husband, have made it livable. So coming to Bozeman was really the tail wagging the dog. I just knew I wanted to be back in Montana,” Ruppel said.

At the time she was hired, the NAS department at Montana State University had been considering the idea of setting up online courses. The plan was in place, but lacked any staff with adequate time to get the program rolling. In 2006, Ruppel, along with the NAS department heads proposed to the university provost that they support the program by allowing funds to support the development of classes through the NAS department.

Saralyn Sebern, who was an NAS-tribal liaison at the time, worked with Ruppel in researching what worked and what did not. The research required Ruppel to visit tribal colleges in Montana to see what she would find useful from the tribal school’s perspective.

When all the research was completed, it was decided that Ruppel and her team would move ahead. More

‘Rodeo Barbie’ not your average cowgirl

April 30, 2013

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By MADELEINE SHERRIER/Montana State News

Sarah Wright is not what you would imagine the Montana State Rodeo Team’s All Around Cowgirl award-winning athlete to be like. With long, hot-pink acrylic nails and even longer perfectly curled blonde hair extensions, she does not portray the popular image of a “tomboy” that participating in the rodeo would suggest. And she is proud of it.

Sarah Wright breaks the mold when it comes to rodeo competitors.

Sarah Wright breaks the mold when it comes to rodeo competitors.

Recognizable from the stands by her pink boots and matching saddle decorations, Wright has come to realize the irony in her personality.

“Before I came out here (Montana) everyone in my town just knew the way that I was,” Wright says, “so I never heard anything about it. But now I realize that a girl, who only wears pick, feels naked without fake nails, while driving a pick-up truck and flipping goats around could be considered a contradiction.”

At 19, the sophomore knows how she feels about the stereotype. Wright jokes, “It’s important to me that I don’t allow rodeo to define me. Sure I love it, but I also love the color pink. Is that really such a big deal?” More

Kids with needs motivate Eagle Mount staffer

April 30, 2013

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By AUTUMN TOENNIS/Montana State News

Heather Collins is quietly humble. “I’m not one for being in the spotlight,” she said.

Collins’ office at Eagle Mount Bozeman has a beautiful view of the Bridger Mountains; behind her desk hang colorful paintings of more mountains; both things betray her love of the outdoors. “I love to hike, ski, and fish – my husband is an avid fisherman and professional fly-tier,” she said smiling, exchanging a handshake before sitting down at her desk.

Heather Collins has been on the staff at Eagle Mount for seven years.

Heather Collins has been on the staff at Eagle Mount for seven years.

The road that brought her to Bozeman and Eagle Mount is a long one. Collins majored in Health and Human Performance at the University of Montana, intending to go on to medical school. However, a series of circumstances led her and her family to settle in Bozeman. It was there that she saw an ad in the paper for a position as the executive administrative assistant at Eagle Mount.

“I fell in love with what they do,” said Collins. “And I have always wanted to work with children with special needs.” This month is her seven-year anniversary, and she now is the facility’s development coordinator, working with fundraising, donors, business partners, special events and community partners. Her broad networking skills cover a variety of things. More

Technology the realm of modern librarian

April 29, 2013

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By MICHELE McDONALD/Montana State News

Hardback books neatly line the shelves near the Computer Services Desk at the Bozeman Public Library. Behind the desk sits Pam Henley, whose job is to help individuals interested in the technological services offered by the library.

Henley, a graduate of the University of Wyoming and the University of Oklahoma, serves as a technology assistant at the Bozeman Public Library. According to Henley, she started her current career when she and her family returned to Bozeman after living in Japan, Korea and Germany as her husband served in the U.S. Air Force.

While traveling abroad, Henley said she accumulated experience in elementary school libraries which were located on U.S. Air Force bases. According to Henley, public libraries were difficult to find in the nations she visited.

“I never saw a library when I was overseas,” said Henley. “I lived off the base area, so I saw a lot of the economical part of the country. But I never once saw a public library.”

Although libraries did not seem to be numerous, Henley said technological advances overseas surpassed those in the United States. Technology from Japan and Germany always seemed advanced and people in Korea had cell phones before they were popular in the United States, so Henley became comfortable with new technology. More

Soprano is the energy behind musical duo

April 29, 2013

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By KAYLEE WALDEN/ Montana State News

“She has an amazing voice,” a young woman in the crowd whispers emphatically to her friend, after the vivacious red-head on stage belts out a show-stopping high note.

Michal Madeline, right, is half of the musical duo ONOMONO.

Michal Madeline, right, is half of the musical duo ONOMONO.

She stomps a high-heeled foot along with the end of the song, and the crowd erupts into applause. It’s a packed

house at Cactus Records for their Annual Record Store day, and the animated red-head is Michal Madeline, who carefully dismounts the stage as the cheering begins to subside

After several hugs and handshakes, Madeline walks a couple blocks to a bar down the street letting her nerves settle after the surge of adrenaline from being in front of a crowd.

“Jack and Coke please,” she says, waving to a group who yelled their congratulations from the other end of the bar. She tries, to no avail, to tame her “mane,” as she calls it. Fiery red curls stick out in all directions despite her best attempts to secure them back into a pony tail.

“My hair is almost like a metaphor for my life these days,” she says with a laugh, “All over the place.” More

Howler’s Inn a haven for wolves and people

April 29, 2013

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By CODIE WYERS/Montana State News

When looking to purchase a bed and breakfast, finding one for sale that comes with a wolf pack is anything but ordinary, but this is just what happened to Montana State University professor Chris Bahn.

“We were looking for a bed and breakfast and just happened to fall in love with one that had a wolf sanctuary,” he responded when asked how his wolf sanctuary came about.

Until he and his wife purchased the bed and breakfast, Bahn claims he didn’t know much about wolves. He said, “When we first purchased the inn, we were immediately taking care of seven adult wolves. I have since become very educated about the animals and have raised five from puppyhood to adults.”

Wolves are now a large part of Bahn’s life, and it seems as if he wouldn’t have it any other way. “Very few people get to interact with wolves. Plus, they are very expressive with affection. My alpha female likes to sit on my lap and suck on my thumb,” Bahn laughs. “They also interact differently than a dog because of their intelligence. It’s a difference that’s hard to explain.” More

Tiny Tails looks out for man’s best friend

March 29, 2013

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By REBECCA MARSTON/ Montana State News

Starving stray animals unfortunately are a familiar sight in any community. You see them in passing, in corners, scrounging for food and a place to sleep. Far too often, these cats and dogs are left to wander the streets, abandoned and deserted by their former owners.

That’s where nonprofits like Tiny Tails K-9 Rescue come in: Their goal is to help these homeless animals, by giving them much needed medical attention, affection and a warm bed.

Richard D. Stafford founded Tiny Tails K-9 Rescue in 2009, determined to find a loving home for every neglected animal that he could. Based out of Manhattan, Mont., the organization has since expanded their rescue efforts to Arizona, California, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming and North Dakota. More

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